The Hurst School’s all-weather sports pitch plans approved

Plans have been approved for a secondary school to build a new all-weather sports pitch on its grounds.

The Hurst School, located in Baughurst, applied for permission to build a 3G artificial turf pitch (ATP) along with associated features in May, and the plans were approved by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on December 8.

The pitch will be located on a field between the school and its leisure centre.

Headteacher Jayne McLaren said: “I am delighted that planning has been granted, not only for the school, but also for the local community.

“Once the facility has been built, it will be used for the benefit of students at the school as well as the community and local football teams at evenings and weekends.

“A percentage of any income generated will be invested back into the school and The Hurst Leisure, supporting grass roots football for all.”

The approval means that the 5,917 sq m pitch can be constructed, along with an accompanying 4.5-metre high perimeter fence, a 15 sq m storage container, six 15-metre high floodlights and a 2,158 sq m hard-standing area surrounding the pitch for pedestrian access, vehicular access and circulation.

The development site is currently being used for athletics and other sports.

Another school field is expected to be redeveloped for athletics training now that the ATP plans have been approved.

The announcement of the approval is expected to be welcomed by members of the community as well as local sports teams, as the plans garnered 40 letters of support and only four4 letters of objection from nearby residents.

League One football club Reading FC – along with non-league sides Tadley Calleva and Aldermaston – expressed interest in making use of the new pitch when the plans were first mooted back in May.